Coldwell Banker Realty - The Basil Group

08/06/2026

Ways to Appeal Your Property Tax Bill
August 06, 2026


https://thebasilgroup.blogspot.com/2026/08/ways-to-appeal-your-property-tax-bill.html

Property taxes probably aren't at the top of your reading list. These documents can seem pretty daunting, but knowing what to look for can help you spot mistakes and save money. Let's take a closer look at your property tax assessment by discussing each section.

The Property Tax Bill Breakdown: The property tax bill breakdown lists your assessed value, taxable value after exemptions, and the taxing authorities that will receive a portion of your payment. Before you pay your taxes, make sure to confirm your account number, property details, payment options, and deadlines.

The Property Tax Bill Annual Comparison: This section shows changes in your assessed value and tax rates from one year to the next. If you notice a significant increase, double-check with the assessor's office or make a note to appeal next year if you've missed the deadline.

The Property Tax Bill Payment Stub: The payment stub is simply the part you detach and mail in with your payment. It summarizes who you are, which property is being taxed, and how much you owe.

The Property Tax Bill Payment Instructions:The final section explains where to send your payment and who to contact if you have any questions. It also details any additional fees, such as credit card surcharges.

Tips To Appeal an Overvaluation

Mistakes and clerical errors happen. If something doesn't quite add up, you can appeal your property tax assessment by following these steps:

Research recent home sales in your area.Compare lot sizes, key features, and overall condition with your own property to assess its worth.

File your appeal with a local assessor. Depending on your area, you may need to fill out an official form or send a letter with clear reasons for your appeal. Include your account number and any supporting evidence before submitting.

Review your appeal decision. Once the board reviews your case, you'll receive a letter explaining their decision. If your appeal was approved, this letter will indicate the revised assessed value and your new tax amount.

Keep in mind that you typically have just 30 to 45 days to appeal your assessment notice after you receive it. For complex cases, it's worth consulting a licensed real estate appraiser. They'll be able to guide you through the process and can even serve as your legal representation if you need to appear before the municipal Board of Review.

Sources: investopedia, avalara

brought to you by The Basil Group, Dan and Lisa Basil – Realtors at Coldwell Banker Realty. www.thebasilgroup.com

612-280-5046

20 years experience - save money and receive better service. Buying/Selling/Rental and property management service - Real Estate Agent in Plymouth. Call Now!

06/17/2026

Two Big Reasons To Move This Summer



A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: "Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down."



While waiting sounds like a good plan, there's something worth knowing before you decide. Rates aren’t expected to change much, so if that’s the #1 reason you’re waiting, it may not pay off. And there may be other things you miss out on in the meantime.

Historically, Summer is one of the strongest seasons of the year for both buyers and sellers. And if you delay your move until Fall or Winter, some of those opportunities may already be fading.



Buyers: Fresh Inventory Is Your Real Summer Advantage

One of the biggest frustrations buyers have faced over the past few years has been a lack of affordable options. Maybe you’ve run into that yourself:

You find a house you like, but it's out of your budget.
You find something in your budget, but you don’t like it.
Or worse, nothing interesting hits the market for weeks.


Historically, Summer helps with that.



Looking at data from the last few years, Summer months consistently bring more sellers into the market than later in the year. And that gives buyers a real window of fresh choices.



According to Realtor.com, any given Summer month typically sees about 32% more fresh options than the average month from September-December.



With more newly listed homes, there’s a better chance of finding one you like where the numbers actually work.

Because all it really takes is one home to completely change your search. And if you’ve got more popping onto the market to choose from, maybe one of those is exactly what you need.



But keep in mind, this seasonal window isn’t open forever. Fresh inventory tends to slow down once Summer ends.



Many homeowners who planned to sell this year have already listed by then. Families who wanted to move before school starts have often already gotten it done, or at least, set it into motion. So, new listing activity usually cools as we head into Fall and Winter.



Of course, every year is different. But if finding the right home at the right price has been your biggest challenge, waiting until later in the year may not necessarily give you more options. In fact, recent history suggests it may do just the opposite.



Sellers: Homes Usually Sell for More in the Summer

If you're thinking of selling, you may be considering holding off because you've seen headlines about lower asking prices, price cuts, and softer conditions in some markets. But those headlines don’t tell the whole story or convey just how much it varies by area.



Here’s what you really need to know. Even though the market’s becoming more balanced and some pockets are experiencing price declines, that doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance to sell.



Seasonality can still work in your favor no matter where you are. And this Summer could still give you the chance to sell for a good price.



According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes sold during a Summer month usually sell for about 4% more than homes sold during the typical month from September-December:



Why? Summer buyers are usually operating on a set timeframe. They’re trying to move before the next school year or when they have more PTO and warmer weather to tour houses. That urgency can translate into better offers.

Now, that doesn’t mean you should price your house 4% higher this Summer. That would actually be a mistake in today’s market.



It just means if you’re looking to get as much for your house as you reasonably can, a Summer move could be a smarter play than waiting until later this year.



Because based on typical seasonality, you may get more for your house than you would if you waited until the Fall or Winter (when there are typically fewer buyers active).



And if you're considering a move anyway, that’s worth factoring in.



Bottom Line

Could waiting until later this year work out? Sure. But it's important to understand what you may gain by moving now too – that way you have the full picture before you decide. If a 2026 move is on your radar, let’s connect and talk about what matters most to you. Depending on your priorities, Summer could be your moment.

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06/05/2026

View this lovely lakeside home on Clearwater Lake in Annandale Minnesota. Follow the link: https://www.homeatanywhere.com/1465-Basswood-Road-South-Haven-MN-55382/index.html

05/25/2026

As we mark the unofficial start of summer and begin to make plans for the months ahead, it’s important we also take time this Memorial Day to remember the brave service members who gave their lives serving our country.

Wishing you a reflective Memorial Day.

personal photo
Dan and Lisa Basil CRS,GRI
Real Estate Sales Executives
Coldwell Banker Realty
Licensed in MN
612-280-5046
612-280-5046

05/18/2026

The Pricing Mistake That Could Cost You Your Sale



Most sellers come into the market with one number in mind. And it’s often the one that costs them the most. That's their asking price.



A survey from Realtor.com shows about 8 in 10 (80%) of sellers expect to sell at or above their asking price today. But here’s where things get interesting.



In reality, only about 4 out of every 10 (roughly 40%) actually do.

That’s a big gap. And it’s where a lot of sellers get caught off guard. So, why the disconnect? And how can you set yourself up to be one of the 4 in 10 that get top dollar?

Let’s break it down.



What Should You Really Expect To Get for Your House?

That 40% may sound low at first, but it’s not.



If you look back to the last typical year for the housing market (2019), what we're really seeing is a return to what’s normal (see chart below). If anything, slightly more homeowners are able to sell above list price today compared to 2019:



It only feels low because the past few years were anything but typical. Between 2020 and mid-2022, buyer demand was sky-high and the number of homes for sale was at record lows. Almost everything sold over asking.



Now, the market has shifted.



There are more homes for sale. Buyers have more options. And that means they’re more selective about how they spend their money.



In other words, the rules have changed – and pricing like it’s still 2021 is where sellers run into trouble. You have to meet the market where it is if you really want to cash in big.



What Happens When a Home Is Priced Too High

Here’s the reality. It’s easy to think pricing high gives you room to negotiate. But it usually does the opposite.

When your home is priced above what buyers expect, in this market, they don’t negotiate. They move on.



Because buyers notice price first. And if your home doesn’t line up with similar options in your area, it may not even get a showing. And that’s when things start to snowball:



A high price gets less interest from buyers.
Less interest means fewer offers.
And fewer offers usually means more time on the market.


Take a look at this table from the Indiana Association of Realtors. While this data is from one state, the general trend is going to hold true across many markets in the country. It shows that homes listed at or under market value sell fast. But homes priced high? They linger. And that delay comes at a very real cost.



The Price Cut Trap (And How To Avoid It)

When a home sits that long without offers, a lot of sellers will do a price reduction. According to Realtor.com, 16.7% of sellers are going that route today.

But here’s the real problem. Even a price cut doesn’t guarantee a sale.



In fact, some buyers will see a reduction as a sign something’s wrong with the house – even when nothing is.



That’s why data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the longer a home sits, the bigger that price cut tends to be to attract buyers back:

So, what starts as a strategy to “leave room” for negotiate can end up costing you more in the long run.



Why Pricing Right from Day One Matters

Even though listing at or even just shy of market value may sound counter intuitive if you’re looking to get as much money for your house as possible, a lot of the time it really is the best strategy.



Because the goal isn’t just to list your house to see what price sticks. It’s to price it in a way that creates demand from day one.



NAR puts it best:

“While some sellers are pricing their homes higher than ever, a more ‘goldilocks’ frame of mind is a better approach to avoid price cuts and lingering time on the market.”



In other words, there’s a sweet spot. Too high, and buyers disappear. Too low, and they question the value.

But right in the middle? That’s where the magic happens.



And that’s where the right agent comes in.

They help you understand what buyers are actually paying right now, how your home compares, and how to price it so it stands out immediately. And in today’s market, that strategy is the difference between:



Listing high, watching it sit, and selling for less later.
Or, pricing it right, creating competition, and putting yourself in a position to win from the start.


Bottom Line

A lot of homeowners think they can list high now and negotiate later, but that’s a mistake that costs them. And it’s the reason only 4 out of every 10 sellers are getting their asking price or more.

If you want to be in that group, it starts with getting the price right from day one. Let’s connect so we can make sure you are.

04/25/2026

Wondering If You Should Still Buy a Home Right Now? Here’s What To Keep in Mind.

With economic headlines, global events, and near constant talk about affordability, you may be wondering if this is the right time to move. But here’s what you need to remember.

While recent events do have some impact on the housing market, they don’t take buying off the table. You just have to use a different strategy.

Mortgage Rates Have Been Up Slightly – Here's Why

After trending down for most of 2025, mortgage rates have been higher again for over roughly a month now. And experts say it’s a result of what's happening overseas and in the broader economy. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains:

“Mortgage rates have recently moved higher, driven by geopolitical uncertainty and rising energy costs that are contributing to inflation concerns.”

But what does that really mean for you? Should you wait for everything to settle back down before you buy a home?

The short answer is no. You don’t have to wait.

Your Window To Buy Didn’t Close

It’s true that a month or so ago, when rates were just shy of 6%, buying felt a bit more affordable. And now that rates are hovering around the mid-6s, monthly payment costs are higher.

But zoom out for a second.

Let’s say you’re taking out a loan for $500k. Even with rates in the mid 6s, you’re still saving roughly $300 on your monthly payment compared to buyers who made their purchase early last year.

That means this recent increase in rates hasn’t erased the progress we’ve seen. Buying is still more affordable than it was just one year ago (see below):

Sure, your monthly payment would’ve been a little less expensive a few weeks back. But hindsight is always 20/20.

The goal moving forward shouldn’t be to perfectly time the market. Things change too quickly for that. Instead, the real goal is to make the best decision you can based on where things are today. And the best advice anyone can give is: brace for volatility.

When It Comes To Rates, Expect the Unexpected

Mortgage rates are going to continue to be move around in the weeks or months ahead as new information and economic reports come out.

Try to remember, you can’t control global events or where rates go next week (or even next month). But you can control how you prepare. If you do that, it becomes less about the headlines, and more about your situation.

If You Want or Need To Move, You Still Can

The simple truth is, if you want or need to move, you still can.

Some buyers are choosing to move forward right now because their needs haven’t changed. A growing family, a job relocation, a lifestyle shift – those things still matter.

And for buyers who do decide to move forward, there are ways to make it work.

For example, you could explore options like adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) to get a lower rate upfront. That may or may not be the right fit for you, but it highlights an important point: there are strategies that can help you move, even now.
What matters most is having a plan.

And working with the right agent and lender is a big part of that. With expert help, you’ll:

Understand your budget and what the math looks like at today's rates.
Explore your financing options, including ARMs and assistance programs.
Have trusted guidance from experts who'll keep you up to date throughout the process.

Bottom Line

Even though there’s some uncertainty, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. If you need to move, you still can. Let’s connect so we can explore all your options and make your move happen.

Reach out:

Daniel Basil, Graduate of the Realtor Institute
Senior Sales Executive
Coldwell Banker - The Basil Group

O: (763) 550-3888 | M: (612) 280-5046
235 Lake St E | Suite 100 | Wayzata, MN, 55391
[email protected]
www.thebasilgroup.com
License #: 20153005

04/07/2026

03/13/2026

Who's thinking of making that move? Downsizing to maintenance free? Upsizing for expanding needs? Or, needing to sell in a complicated situation? Over the past 28 years, we've seen most of what other Real Estate Agents have not had a chance to see with challenges that come up in RE transactions. When there's 6 or more figures on the table with your sale, hire the experts.

20 years experience - save money and receive better service. Buying/Selling/Rental and property management service - Real Estate Agent in Plymouth. Call Now!